Families and sisters can be complicated…Jill Conroy is tricked by her sister into becoming the housekeeper and cook for the summer at Seashell Cottage where Greg Campbell and his nephew, Brody, have been hired to do maintenance projects on the house. Annoyed at first, Jill soon realizes how wonderful it is to be away from her home in New York and the memories of her deceased, emotionally … emotionally abusive husband.
Soon the magic of the beach heals Jill enough for her to decide to move to Florida permanently to make a new life for herself. Her part-time work at a summer camp and the promise of a new job as a third-grade teacher in the fall make it seem as if her future is set. But a visit from her sister, followed by her mother, reveals secrets that surprise them all. Jill learns to accept the idea of love not only from Brody but from his daughter, Kacy, as the summer brings even more surprises.
This book is a standalone novel that is one of others based at the Seashell Cottage on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Different stories, different characters, same location.
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This was a heavy story that included topics of emotional abuse, body image and feelings of self worth, cancer, and divorce. Jill dealt with a lot of manipulative people in her life who turned her into a doormat who felt bad about herself. This book was about her liberation from that and finding what would truly make her happy. I wouldn’t have had her courage to start over some place new searching for a job and a place to live at the same time especially in a career like education where tenure is so important. I loved what Camp Sunnyside stood for healthy eating and living without pushing kids to lose weight, inclusiveness regardless of ability, and kindness and understanding towards each other. I’ve struggled with my weight and been bullied so I felt for Kacy. Unlike her I’m lucky to have a mother that loves me and just wants me to be happy.
It takes a lot of courage and strength to believe in yourself after a lifetime of emotional abuse, and I enjoyed reading about Jill becoming independent and enjoying her new life. I loved watching her help others with self- esteem issues, especially Kacy, Brody’s daughter. And I held my breath hoping Jill would not take her independence too far by equating love and marriage with being enslaved. I had tears in my eyes knowing Brody would never hurt her if she would give him a chance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A captivating story line that pulls you in and holds your attention until the end. The characters are easy to relate to and their relationships of family, love and friendship are intriguing. A great summertime read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a special story of Jill finding herself by house sitting at Seashell Cottage. I really enjoyed how Jill’s trip to Florida inspired her to change, get rid of self-doubt, and to have a new, fresh start at her life.
I also enjoyed the dynamics of her relationship with her mom and sister, Cristal and learning how old habits could be hard to change but necessary if Jill was going to move on. It was also interesting to see how her relationship with her mom was similar in some ways to her relationship with her husband, Jay, who had died two years ago.
This story will leave you with hope, hope for romance and new beginnings. Jill is a remarkable character and it was so much fun watching her emerge from her chrysalis in Florida and turn into a beautiful, happy, loving person who knew what she wanted to do and to be. This is one of my favorite books I have read this year. I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
A Summer of Surprises was a quick read that I couldn’t put down. I stayed up later than I should have so I could finish it in one sitting. It was that good with characters who became friends – theirs and mine. There was a depth to the characters and many secrets and we got to know about them a little at a time. When Jill is offered a summer vacation at a cottage on a beach in Florida she knows it’s too good to be true and it was. She had to cook and clean for an older gentleman who was fixing up the cottage and living there but there are other surprises in store. Seashell Cottage plays a role in many of their lives.
Brody and his eight year daughter also plan to spend a few weeks at the cottage so he can help his uncle with some of the repairs. He’s divorced and his daughter is a brat thanks to the way her mom is raising her. As everyone lowers their defenses they form a unit and we get to know them better. Jill is planning to change her whole life and remain in Florida instead of returning back home to upstate New York where she lives and works as a kindergarten teacher. There are a lot of emotions that Jill has to deal with and she has to let her sister and mother in on some of her secrets and she learns they have some of their own. It strengthens their relationships even if her mother is still overbearing at times. Jill is stronger than she realizes and it’s nice to see how she flourishes as she takes one step at a time towards the new life she wants.
The story has beautiful descriptions, friendships formed and strong characters all who are dealing with adversity in their own way. There are many stories going on that are interwoven nicely together. The camp that Kacy attends and which becomes important to Jill, plays a key role. Kacy also acts differently and kinder when she is shown love, affection and kindness. There is nice closure and a happily ever after with a few more surprises in store. I loved the cover.
Ms. Keim is a new to me author reminiscent to me of books by some of my favorite authors – Susan Mallery, Susan Wiggs, Sherryl Woods and Jill Shalvis among others. I plan to read more of her books and I have added some of them to my always growing TBR pile.
A story of finding yourself and new beginnings. Also added into the story was some insight on how to help children with divorce and bullying. I enjoyed the story except the author needs to pay closer attention to the time line. SPOILER/EXAMPLE: the guys drained the pool and dried out enough to patch, the uncle fell and broke his arm, went to the hospital and back home all before lunch. Other then the time line being off in a couple places, it is a well written, grammar and punctuation is good. I did enjoy the story. This could be classified as woman’s fiction. Just a little romance in it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Take a chance on a new life …
Jillian Conroy has spent her life being the smart, reliable daughter – Jay’s widow, beautiful Cristal’s younger sister, teacher, and volunteer. Growing up with a manipulative mother and sister, and as a young wife with an abusive husband, her self-image and confidence need a boost or at least a vacation and a chance to heal her bruised spirit. When Cristal offers an opportunity to housesit a cottage in Florida, Jillian packs her bags and leaves the cold northern weather for the sun and surf at Seashell Cottage. She arrives only to discover that her sister has tricked her again. Instead of a relaxing vacation, she is expected to cook and clean for Greg, the handyman who is staying there to renovate the cottage, plus his nephew Brody and Kacy, Brody’s spoiled, young daughter. As good-looking as Brody is, Jillian is determined not to get emotionally involved with anyone until she gets her life in order.
I read this book in one day and I liked that it was clean and without foul language. It is a well-written, feel-good romance and is an excellent addition to the Seashell Cottage Series.
A Summer of Surprises is a captivating contemporary romance by Judith Keim. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’ll be looking for more of her work to read…I enjoyed the book. The characters are likable and relatable. I liked how Jill met head on the surprises she encountered as she left the comfort of the usual and agreed to help her sister out. Lots of relationships are explored in the story, mothers and daughters, sisters, friends–male and female, child and adult. I like how the author portrayed each of these and made them realistic–camaraderie, struggles, healing and restoration. A Summer of Surprises is a great story of growth, of realizing second chances are just around the corner waiting to be taken hold of. And of course, what would a story of relationships be without a romance. and I’d like to see more of Jill and Brody. Angela Dawe does a great job narrating the story which made for an enjoyable listening experience.
I listened to a complimentary copy of the audiobook and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
I highly recommend this book. The plot, characters, the family love and friendships are so amazing. This book will take you into the story and make you wish you were there. I rated this book a five but I want rate it a 10. Excited for the next book In this series. Thank you for these amazing books.
Widow Jill Conroy agreed to house-sit a cottage for the summer. She needed a break from her life after her husband died. She goes to Seashell Cottage and findS out that she has to cook and clean for the two men while they remodel the house. She’s upset at first but realizes that she can still enjoy staying there and going to the beach. She meets new people, she gets a part-time job at a summer camp. She decides to move there. A clean slate. Everything is falling into place for her. Just what she needed. Brody and his uncle, who is doing the remodeling, ate people she starting to care about. Along with Brody’s young daughter. Secrets and surprises come out Will she fall in love? Go into business with the camp owners? Will jill, her sister and her mom work through things? What an awesome read. It is worth it
Thank you Net Galley, Wild Quail Publishing and Author, Judith Keim for an ARC of this book. The review and comments are my honest opinion.
Emotionally distant sisters, Jill and Cristal have never been close and their mother has perpetually kept the sisters apart. Constantly extolling the beauty of Cristal, Jill, the smart one, has always felt alienated. Given the chance to become her own person, Jill moves temporarily to a beach town in Florida. What she finds there is more permanent than temporary and more than she could have dreamed. Judith Keim has written another wonderful book of healing and acceptance with just a touch of love that we have come to expect from this great writer of women’s fiction.
Relationships with sisters are often rocky and having a mother with her own problems makes things a little more difficult. This book was one I couldn’t put down until it was finished. It shows how life experiences, especially adverse ones can create change and build character. Keim dealt with mental abuse in a relationship which is often overlooked because there are no physical bruises. I loved watching how Jill worked through her problems and learned to trust again and enjoy life. With Keim’s descriptive writing, I could feel the salty air blowing through my hair. Loved the ending!
Jill’s sister has offered Jill a summer of relaxation – house sitting a beach house in Florida. Jill is distrustful but eventually decides it’s an offer she can’t refuse, since she is a teacher and has the summer off. When she gets there, she finds out that she is expected to cook and clean for an older handyman, along with his helper nephew and a spoiled 8 year old girl, all of whom are also living at the house.
This is a story about Jill re-evaluating her life and her relationships. Jill isn’t close to her controlling mother and sister. She finds herself attracted to Brody, the nephew, but she is hesitant after an abusive marriage. She decides to move to Florida and is eager to explore new opportunities for her life, including exploring friendships with more than one man and new working relationships and friendships with women.
This book is an interesting story of awakening and standing up for ones self. I enjoyed it. I listened to the audio version of the book and the narrator was very good, including use of different voices for each character.
Thank you to the author for an ARC. These are my opinions
A wonderful easy to read. I love the way the author intertwines a few clever references to the Salty Key series. Jillian “thinks” her sister is giving her the opportunity for a fun relaxing summer vacation in Florida when she is going to house sit for her sister’s friend. It comes as no surprise to Jillian to find there is more than she Bargained for. First she is assigned the task to do laundry, cook, and clean up for handyman Greg. Next, Greg’s handsome nephew Brody arrives with his spoiled sassy daughter Kacy. So much for a relaxing summer.
Jillian is struggling with demons of her own after being involved with a verbally abusive husband. Add in to the mix, her beautiful sister Christal, who is her mother’s favorite. Jill struggles to build a life and heal emotionally. Meanwhile handsome Brody fights to build a home and establish permanence for himself and his daughter.
Can broken hearts heal? Will Jillian find a way to heal and rebuild he life.
A Summer of Surprises by Judith Keim is a delightful summer read! Jillian Conroy gets tricked again by her selfish sister, Cristal. Jill is given the opportunity to house-sit a beautiful cottage while the owner and her sister go to Europe for the summer. Sounds wonderful. right? later Jill realizes she will be taking care of the house and cooking meals for the two workmen who are there to make repairs and a few renovations. It gets even better, Brody brings his young daughter, Kacy, with him and is soon asking Jill for help with the difficult girl.
Now right here I have to say I was really doing a slow burn! Imagine the promise of a sunny beach, books, watching sunsets, and a bit of personal time. Now Jill is facing much more than she bargained for with Cristal. Also, Jill’s mother is unbelievable in her attitude! Ok, let’s move on to say, the story is written very well and kept me entertained once my anger at Cristal and Kacy faded a bit. LOL
It really is a summer of surprises for Jill. She lets people know that she will not be a doormat. Jill finds a new purpose and surprisingly, changes the direction of her life. It is a lovely story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I wonder how many folks will be able to relate to at least parts of this story. Join Jill as she becomes her own person. Could you just pack up and move across the country, even if you were kind of tricked by your sister? I guess some surprises do turn out well. How did you feel growing up? Could you relate to Kacy, Jill, or Cristal? This is a wonderful story about how a family finally talks and can really become a loving family and not one that just seems to hurt each other. It’s also a story about how a child can blossom when given the right opportunities and unconditional love. I loved the story and the characters. I received an ARC of this book, but my opinion is my own.
We meet Jill who has always been known as the smart one. Her sister invites her to Florida for the summer and come to find out she was asked so that she could do all the work. Jill has gotten to the point that she needs more, what is it that she wants for her life. Jill whole life is about to change and for the better, she is not as plain as she thinks, she will not be a door mat anymore, it is time for her to live.
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
I really enjoy this author’s books. I loved the story of Jill and learning about the struggles of growing up and unhappy marriage and how she took charge and started thinking about herself. On a summer vacation to Florida, a so-called quiet beach cottage her sister asked her to house sit for turns into a whole lot more. The story is filled with a roller coaster of emotions and self-discovery. Finding love again and rebuilding family relationships. I enjoy how this book connects with her other books like going to the Salty Key Inn for dinner or Gavins for breakfast. It’s like I already know the area. I look forward to reading the next book!
I was given an ARC of this story for an honest review.
I received an ARC from Judith Keim for an honest review. Once Jill went to Florida for the summer, she began to change. She seemed to have more confidence, decided she wanted a fresh start and started realizing what she wanted. We meet many wonderful people, each one adding something to her life. It was a summer of surprises but Judith added what I thought of little pieces of tidbits that just added to the story. It fascinated me how the owners of the camp ran it. They could get the girls to do things, make healthy, better decisions by the way they went about it.
With all that is going on in the world today, this book was a breath of fresh air, that showed positive ways to get something accomplished, that Jill made a lot of changes but knew it was right for her and that is why people should read this book. During this difficult time, if offers sunshine, sandy beach, sandcastles, relationships, and a glimpse of although a different life a life full of goodness.
This book is about a woman who gets offered the use of a beach cottage for her summer break from school. She finds out there are other people living in it, namely a handyman and his young daughter. She finds a job at a summer camp where the girl is attending and looks into relocating permanently to avoid her overbearing mother.